From a news release
STE. GENEVIEVE — Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on their graduation from Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District!
We are beyond proud of you, and wish you the best as you move forward.
Here is a link to the graduation video: https://youtu.be/0N-3A4GA8mU
See specific recognitions and awards from the ceremony below!
Salutatorian: Madeleine Rose Terry
Valedictorian: Collin Joseph Fritsch
Special Awards:
Four special awards are presented at graduation to two girls and two boys in the senior class.
These students are voted on by the entire high school teaching staff and they represent outstanding characteristics such as: Character, leadership, citizenship, and scholarship.
The recipients of the 2023 Danforth “I Dare You” awards are:
● Madeleine Rose Terry
● Nolan Christopher Walls
The two recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Senior Girl & Senior Boy awards are:
● Outstanding Senior Girl is Lindsey Allison Crump
● Outstanding Senior Boy is Collin Joseph Fritsch
Instrumental and Vocal Music Awards:
The three recipients of the Instrumental and Vocal Music Awards are:
● John Philip Sousa: Jamison Angela Kemper
● National Choral Award: Chayse Isabelle Bequette
Athletic Awards:
The two recipients of the 2023 Athletic Awards are:
● Armella Peterson Award for Outstanding Senior Female Athlete: Alli Lea Byington
● Mal Kimmel Award for Outstanding Senior Male Athlete: Aiden Ray Boyer
National Honor Society
The Dragon chapter of the National Honor Society is the most prestigious of the co-curricular groups at the high school level.
Members are selected by a faculty committee and are students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership and service.
All four areas are equally considered, and students selected for membership must continually strive to use their talents and skills for the improvement of society.
Members include:
● Katarina Ahne
● Chayse Bequette
● Hannah Bley
● Alli Byington
● Lindsey Crump
● Collin Fritsch
● Jamison Kemper
● Dru Koetting
● Ariella Taylor
● Madeleine Terry
● Maya Watts
● Brynna Wehner
● Lani Yamnitz
National Art Honor Society
Members of the National Art Honor Society are selected by demonstrating outstanding abilities in the visual arts including participation in art shows and sales, and museum and gallery exhibitions. Students must also receive letters of recommendation from teachers in the areas of creativity, dedication, service and character and must have achieved an “A” average in Fundamentals of Art and maintained that average in every art course thereafter.
Members include:
● Hannah Naeger
● Miranda Ponder
● Ariella Taylor
● Brynna Wehner
A+ Schools Program
This is the 21st graduating class from Ste. Genevieve High School as A+ seniors.
To meet the requirements of the A+ Schools Program, students must earn a 2.5 non-weighted cumulative grade point average, a 95% cumulative attendance average, a record of good citizenship, a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I End-Of-Course Exam or alternate qualifier and must have completed at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring.
As certified A+ students, they are eligible for tuition assistance to attend any Missouri community college or vocational/technical school.
These students include:
● Collin Abt
● Katarina Ahne
● Emily Allebach
● Hannah Bley
● Lily Boyd
● Aiden Boyer
● Jacqueline Brown
● Alli Byington
● Cylie Carlson
● Lindsey Crump
● Dayton Decker
● Nicole Fischer
● Madison Flieg
● Jillian Gegg
● Tessa Grass
● Cody Hoehn
● Braden Huck
● Gavin Huck
● Richard Hunter
● Jacob Johns
● Jamison Kemper
● Dru Koetting
● Julia Lemons
● Cassidy Lorance
● Ava Meyer
● Alexis Parmer
● Taylor Parson
● Nicholas Plati
● Jayden Rhinehart
● Ariella Taylor
● Madeleine Terry
● Aiden Trollinger
● Nolan Walls
● Maya Watts
● Brynna Wehner
● Callie Winch
● Mallory Wolk
● Lani Yamnitz
FFA State Degree
The FFA State Degree is the highest degree a student may earn in FFA. This degree demonstrates the student has devoted an exceptional amount of time into their SAE and local chapter. It is awarded after receiving the aforementioned degrees.
The FFA State Degree recipients for the Class of 2023 are:
● Carter Burr
● Jillian Gegg
● Kole Kramer
Senior Class Officers of 2023
● President: Lindsey Allison Crump
● Executive Member: Jamison Angela Kemper
● Executive Member: Ariella Elizabth Taylor
● Executive Member: Madeleine Rose Terry
● Executive Member: Brynna Lane Wehner
● Executive Member: Cameron Joseph Wolf
Students Enlisting in the Military:
The students below have enlisted to serve our country and have received their detachment dates:
● Ryan Edmond Pinkley — United States Air Force
Cum Laude:
Students who have earned the distinction of Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.2 to 3.49.
The students who have achieved the Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:
● Collin Abt
● Kaden Albert
● Hannah Bley
● Carter Burr
● Aiden Boyer
● Nicole Fischer
● Carter Geralds
● Tessa Grass
● Kole Kramer
● Cassidy Lorance
● Ava Meyer
● Alexis Parmer
● Jayden Rhinehart
● Mia Schweigert
Magna Cum Laude:
Students who have earned the distinction of Magna Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.5 to 3.79.
The students who have achieved the Magna Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:
● Katarina Ahne
● Chayse Bequette
● Lily Boyd
● Koltin Capps
● Braden Huck
● Richard Hunter
● Jamison Kemper
● Jacob Johns
● Hannah Naeger
● William Vaughn
● Nolan Walls
● Maya Watts
● Callie Winch
● Mallory Wolk
● Jacob Yates
Summa Cum Laude:
Students who have earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.8 or higher.
The students who have achieved the Summa Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:
● Alli Byington
● Lindsey Crump
● Collin Fritsch
● Jillian Gegg
● Dru Koetting
● Miranda Ponder
● Ariella Taylor
● Madeleine Terry
● Brynna Wehner
● Cameron Wolf
● Lani Yamnitz
George Washington Carver Award
The George Washington Carver Award is an academic award that was established in 1986 by former Governor John Ashcroft. Governor Michael L. Parson and Dr. Margie Vandeven, Commissioner of Education, are pleased to continue this award that honors the outstanding achievement of seniors in Missouri’s high schools.
The George Washington Carver Award is named for an outstanding Missourian and scientist.
In making the announcement to establish the award, former Governor Ashcroft said, “George Washington Carver is the kind of role model I believe Missourians need to hold up to their children.
There is no better way to honor both Mr. Carver and your top students than by giving our very best high school seniors the George Washington Carver Award. I would like to recognize high academic achievement by making this award available to the top 10 percent of each high school’s graduating class in the State of Missouri.”
George Washington Carver achieved his dream of finishing high school and later college; although, he was born a slave and denied the opportunity for much formal schooling in his early years. He first studied art, but later chose science and agriculture as his profession and became one of America’s great practicing natural scientists. Carver spent most of his adult years at the famed Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, devoting his life to the improvement of agriculture in the South.
His scientific efforts made him well known throughout the United States, and commercial applications of his research have greatly improved the quality of life for all Americans.
The students who received the George Washington Carver Award for high achievement during their four years in high school are:
● Alli Lea Byington
● Lindsey Allison Crump
● Collin Joseph Fritsch
● Jillian Grace Gegg
● Dru Elizabeth Koetting
● Miranda Brielle Ponder
● Ariella Elizabeth Taylor
● Madeleine Rose Terry
● Brynna Lane Wehner
● Lani Renee Yamnitz
President’s Award for Education Excellence
The following students have earned the President’s Award for Education Excellence:
● Collin Joseph Fritsch
● Jillian Grace Gegg
● Braden Joseph Huck
● Jacob Dean Johns
● Jamison Angela Kemper
● Ava Rae Meyer
● Miranda Brielle Ponder
● Madeleine Rose Terry
College Preparatory Studies Seal on Diploma:
In order to qualify as a recipient of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II College Preparatory Studies Seal on Diploma students must complete a rigorous high school program cooperatively planned by the school, the student and the student’s parents.
These students have completed a strong academic program, as specifically outlined, in the subject areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Specified Core Electives while maintaining a 95% or higher cumulative attendance rate.
The following students have earned the Ste. Genevieve County R-II College Preparatory Studies Seal on their Diplomas:
● Alli Lea Byington
● Lindsey Allison Crump
● Dru Elizabeth Koetting
● Madeleine Rose Terry
● Brynna Lane Wehner
Student Council:
The following students served as Student Council representatives:
● Katie Ahne
● Aiden Boyer
● Alli Byington
● Lindsey Crump – President
● Tessa Grass
● Jacob Johns
● Jamison Kemper
● Dru Koetting
● Ariella Taylor – Executive Board Member
● Maddie Terry – Executive Board Member
● Brynna Wehner
● Lani Yamnitz – Executive Board Member
2023 Local Scholarship Recipients:
The following students were recognized for receiving local scholarships. Ste. Genevieve High School sincerely appreciates the support of the community and businesses that fund these scholarships, and we are proud of the dedicated commitment to education that exists within our community. These scholarships are appreciated by the students and will help them to achieve their goals.
The following seniors from Ste. Genevieve High School have received scholarships from local businesses and organizations:
Katarina Ahne:
● Missouri State Tech – Robotics & Automation; Scholarships – Dennis P. Flieg Memorial, Riverside Landscaping, Inc., SGHS Band Boosters, Lieutenant Colonel J. Felix St. James Camp
Devyn Basler:
● Mineral Area College – Criminal Justice; Scholarships: Bill Karl Memorial
Chayse Bequette:
● Southeast Missouri State University – Musical Theatre; Scholarships – R&K Excavation, SG County Democratic Club, SGHS R-II Faculty
Hannah Bley:
● Jefferson College – Business Management; Scholarships: Little Saline Sportsman Club, SGHS Band Boosters
Lily Boyd:
● Grabber School of Hair Design – Cosmetology; Scholarships: GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve (Helen Smith), SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA), Ste. Genevieve VFW Post #2210
Aiden Boyer:
● Mineral Area College – Undecided; Scholarships – SG Legion Riders, SG Riverdogs, DESE Teacher Recruitment, Dennis P. Flieg Sons of the Legion
Carter Burr:
● American Welding Academy – Welding; Scholarships – SG Women’s Horseshoe League, SG County Tech Foundation, Flieg Family Agriculture
Alli Byington:
● Missouri State University – Physical Therapy; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SG Lions Club, Karen McKersie Memorial, Mid-America Rehab, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
Lindsey Crump:
● Mineral Area College – General Studies/Anthropology; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS Student Council, Environmental Products, Inc., GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve (Young Woman), SGHS Mentors
Dayton Decker:
● State Technical College of Missouri – Heavy Equipment; Scholarships: Army SGT., Michael Beckerman Memorial, SGHS FFA, Dennis P. Flieg FFA Memorial
Nicole Fischer:
● Northwest Missouri State – Nursing; Scholarships: Dennis P. Flieg Sons of the Legion, SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA), Heil Oil
Madison Flieg:
● Mineral Area College – Psychology; Scholarships: Duane Donze Memorial Music/Theatre, Dennis P. Flieg Legion Ball
Kaden Flye:
● McKendree University – Marketing; Scholarships: Nancy L. Breig Memorial, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Tyler Wolk Scholarship
Collin Fritsch:
● Missouri University of Science & Technology – Chemical Engineering; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Local Small Business, Lost Acre Tractor Club, Ste. Genevieve NEA
Jillian Gegg:
● University of Missouri-Columbia (MIZZOU) – Animal Science/Pre-Vet; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SG Community Foundation, SGHS Future Farmers of America (FFA), Dennis P Flieg FFA Memorial, Flieg Family Agriculture, Chamber of Commerce
Tessa Grass:
● Mineral Area College – Dental Hygiene; Scholarships: American Legion Post 150, Ste. Genevieve R-II MSTA/CTA, MO Farm Bureau
Cody Hoehn:
● State Technical College – Heavy Equipment; Scholarships: Lakenan Insurance, Elk’s Trade School Scholarship
Braden Huck:
● University of Central Missouri – Science, Professional Pilot; Scholarships: Lost Acre Tractor Club, Missouri Farm Bureau, Ste. Genevieve Fair Board
Richard Hunter:
● Missouri Baptist University – Sports Management; Scholarships: SGHS Boys Basketball, Vern Bauman Contracting
Savannah Jerman:
● University of Missouri-Kansas City – Undecided; Scholarships: LafargeHolcim
Jamison Kemper:
● Truman State University – Chemistry Education; Scholarships: SGHS All-Sports Boosters, DESE Teacher Recruitment, Flieg Family Education, Linda Coleman Henson Memorial, SGHS Band Boosters, Robert C. Howe Scholarship
Dru Koetting:
● Missouri State University – Business/Marketing; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, Mikel Stewart Memorial, Weingarten Jaycees
Cassidy Lorance:
● Renaissance Beauty Academy – Cosmetology; Scholarships: Dennis P. Flieg Memorial
Ava Meyer:
● Jefferson College – General Education/Psychology; Scholarships: Zell Area Jaycees
Hannah Naeger:
● University of West Florida – Marine Biology; Scholarships: Wolk’s Insurance Agency, American Legion Auxiliary #150
Lexi Parmer:
● Aesthetics Institute – Esthetician; Scholarships: American Legion Post #150
Thomas Pecaut:
● Ranken Technical College – Diesel; Scholarships: SG Plaza Tire
Miranda Ponder:
● Missouri State University – Digital Arts; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, Betty Geraghty Memorial/Art Guild
Mia Schweigert:
● Jefferson College – Business; Scholarships: SG Fury
Ariella Taylor:
● Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) – Mass Communication Advertising; Scholarships: SGHS R-II Faculty, SG Elk’s #2674, Bloomsdale Bank, Eric Scott Leathers, LLC, SG Rotary Club, Nikki Reed Memorial
Madeleine Terry:
● University of Missouri-Columbia – Pre-Law; Scholarships: Bethany Bequette Memorial, SG Elk’s #2674, Leeta Berry Memorial, Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Hoffman Memorial
Aiden Trollinger:
● Mineral Area College – Informational Technology; Scholarships: Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Ste. Genevieve NEA
Nolan Walls:
● Jefferson College – Nursing; Scholarships: SG County Tech Foundation
Maya Watts:
● Mineral Area College – Elementary Education; Scholarships: Lindsay Roth Memorial, Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Flieg Family Education, Peggy J. Johnson Memorial, SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA)
Brynna Wehner:
● Missouri State University – Graphic Design/Computer Science; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Citizens Electric, Armella Peterson
Callie Winch:
● Jefferson College – Radiology; Scholarships: Ste. Genevieve R-II MSTA/CTA, Vern Bauman Contracting
Cameron Wolf:
● Missouri University of Science & Technology – Electrical Technology; Scholarships: European Entitlements, SG Vision Care, MRV Banks, Ste. Genevieve Jaycees
Chloe Wolk:
● Jefferson College – Early Childhood; Scholarships: SG Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Belle Ever After Boutique
Lani Yamnitz:
● Mineral Area College – Interior/Architecture Design; Scholarships: SG Rotary Club, Mark Woodson Memorial/Knights of Columbus, Mikel Stewart Memorial, SG Men’s Horseshoe League
The selection committee would like to thank the following area businesses and organizations that contributed scholarships to the students of Ste. Genevieve High School:
Small business donors include: the Artisan/Baetje Farms; Basler Funeral Home; Belle Ever After Boutique; Bloomsdale Excavating, Inc.; Computer Solutions; Dew Drop Inn; Donze Construction, Inc.; Drury Marketing, Inc.; Equipment Pro, Inc.; Fallert Bus Service; Kozy Kitchen; Local Union #2030; Lumber Dealers, LLC; Lurk Custom Cabinets; Rosie’s Posies, LLC; Sara’s Ice Cream; Save-A-Lot; Shuh & Sons Plumbing, LLC; Ste. Genevieve Farmer’s Market; T. Drury Contracting, Inc.; United Brotherhood of Carpenterss